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.- (No. Model.)

A'. VAN CAMP.

MAIL BAG. No. 293,123. Patented Feb. 5, 1884.

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iJNiTnn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

\VILL A. VAN CAMP, OF MILTON, INDIANA.

MAIL-BAG.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 293,123, dated February 5, 1884. Application filed November 21,1883. (No modell To CbZZ whom, it mag concern.-

Be it known that I, WILL A. VAN CAMP, a citizen of the United States, of Milton, in the county of \Vayne and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail-Bags, of which the following is a specification.

My improvement relates to an improved mail bag or pouch, and has for its object to provide a simple and inexpensive fastening, by the use of which the mouth of the bag or pouch can be readily opened or closed- Figure 1 is a plan view of my invention attached to an ordinary mail-bag, showing the bag fastened. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the re verse side of the pouch. (Shown in Fig. 1.) Fig. 3 is a plan view, showing the fasteningcatehes released from, their staples. Fig. 4. is an edge view of the fastening, lap, and connecting-strap." Fig. 5 is a modified form of the locking device. Fig. 6 is a cross-section the front side of the mail-bag by pivots 1.

I D represents the connecting-strap, which is secured to the lower end shank of hooks G by rivets 2'.

E represents a loop secured to the connect ing-strap D by rivets 3. This loop isemployed in pulling connecting-strap D laterally, so as to cause the catches G to turn on their pivots in Fi 3 releasin the en a ement of the b i b 2: b

' catches G with the staples a; One end of the strap D is carried around the edge of the pouch A and secured to the front side of the same i b means of rivets 3 as shown in Fi 4. The

Y 7 is opposite end of strap D is preferably provided with a loop or slot, 9, adapted to engage over staple G, as shown in Fig. 2, so as to be secured to the bag by the padlock H.

Another form of fastening the connecting strap D is shown in Fig. 5. One of the catches 0, being provided with a slot or eye on its free end, which end passing through staple a, passes through a second staple, b, where it is secured by the padlock H, the hasp of which passes through the eye in the free end of hook O. m a

It will be seen that the catches O are simultaneously moved out of engagement with their respective staples a by a lateral movement of the strap D to the left, which is conveniently made by placing the finger in the loop. A reverse movement, which may be applied easily through the free or forward end of the strap D, brings the catches 0 into engagement with their respective staples, a, simultaneously by one operation, when the staples are properly inserted through both sides of the bag, thus making the operation of opening and closing the bag much quicker and simpler than the methods in common use.

l 4 represent the ends of the staples a, riveted to the flap B. i.

I do not desire to limit myself to this mode of attaching the staples, as they may be attached to the rear side of the bag and engage with a fold by means of slots pierced in said flap; but the plan here shown I deem the best.

It is obvious that the connecting-strap D is held in position mainly by the catches G. .This strap D may be secured, however, by means of a loop, K, as shown in Fig. 1, one or more of which may be employed to act as stays, to prevent the strap D from sagging.

Having described my invention, what I claim is 1. A fastening for mail-bags, consisting of the strap D, having one end permanently secured to the bag, and the other end provided with means for detachably connecting it to the bag, the catches O 0, each having one end riveted to the strap D, and pivoted at about their middle portions to the bag, and the staples a a, all constructed and arranged substantially as described.

2. A fastening for mail-bags, consisting of the strap D, having one end riveted to the bag and the other end provided with means for locking it to the bag, said strap having at or In testimony whereof I have hereunto set near one end the loop E, the loops K, the my hand. catches G 0, each having one end riveted "to h the strap D, and pivoted at or about their middle portions to the bag, and the staples a Witnesses: V a, all constructed and combined substantially JNO. E. JONES, as described. A. GLUCHSHOWSKY.

\VILL A. VAN CAMP. 

